AFCON qualifiers: Eagles welcome final arrivals for Tanzania ties

The Super Eagles are in full swing with preparations for their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with all 24 invited players available for their second training session on Wednesday, The PUNCH reports.

The full complement of players finally assembled in camp after flight scheduling challenges at the Victor Attah International Airport delayed arrivals on Monday and disrupted the team’s opening day’s activities.

While 17 players were available for Tuesday’s training session, the remaining seven, led by captain Wilfred Ndidi, joined the squad on Wednesday ahead of their second workout.

Ndidi was accompanied by Bruno Onyemaechi, Abdullahi Bewene, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Usor and new invitee Mubarak Suleiman.

Ten players had arrived on Tuesday morning. They included goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo, Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Benjamin Fredrick and Alhassan Yusuf.

Seven others — Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolu Arokodare, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Samson Tijani, Tochukwu Nnadi, Francis Uzoho and Ademola Lookman — were also present at Tuesday’s training session, bringing the number of available players to 17.

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Major absentees from the current squad include striker Victor Osimhen, who is missing a second consecutive AFCON qualifying window through injury. Samuel Chukwueze is also sidelined by injury, while Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was dropped from the squad.

The Super Eagles are preparing for a double-header against Tanzania, with the first leg scheduled for Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo before the return fixture in Dar es Salaam four days later.

Nigeria have three points from their opening two Group L matches, beating Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.

With Tanzania already qualified for the 2027 tournament as co-hosts, only one additional ticket is available from the group.

Nigeria currently occupy second place behind leaders Guinea-Bissau and will be targeting maximum points from the double-header to strengthen their qualification hopes.